Valve bonnet structure



Sept. 16, 1952 M. A. MARKEL ET AL 2,610,820

VALVE BONNET STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 15, 1946 2 saws-sum? 1 INVENTORS Michael A. Markel David Mac Gregor attorneys P 1952 M. A. MARKEL ET AL 2,610,820

VALVE BONNET STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 15, 1946 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 INVENTORS Mic hae! A. Markel By David MacGrego r M PW attorneys Patented Sept. 16, 1952 Michael A'sMsrkeL'Esst Chicago,

Gregor, 'Munster, "Ind., .assignors and David-Macto Edwar Valves incorporated, East .Ghic ze this! 8 9 p rat n 9. I dian i ifl'icatie 'noyemb r 15, 1943, Serial NoHHQfl'SZ This invention relates to valves and more particularly to a valve ofthe heavy dut y,*high-p'ressure type, in which avalve stem supporting bonnet is connected to the valve'body.

Heretofore, considerable difllcult-y' hasbeen experienced in obtaining an accurately centered or aligned relation of the bonnet with the valve stem bore in the valve body with-an effective seal of the assembly against externalleakage of fluid pressure. 7 of the present inventionto provide a simple solution of this problem, embodying a hrnlnimum number of parts of novel construction which may be expeditiously assembledin final cooperativerelation to provide a rigid fluid-tight connection between the valvebody,and'thebonnet.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of coactingpinterlockingjlugs on the valve body and bonnet which take'the internal pressure load and prevent axial displacer'ner'it of the bonnet relative .to .theva'lve body.

A further object, in one embodlment ofthe invention, is to provide wedge \xneans insertable between opposed surfaces of the'b onnetand valve y to e y the'be net ae ns n u a displacement and insureequalpressuredoading,of the interlocking l s. "Preferably, the wedge means is retained in applied "position by means ofa weld which also servesto-cffectiyelypreyent external leakage of the fluid'pressure;

In another embodiment of the inventlon,fi t'i s an additional object {to [provide means for deforming an internal annular 1111) on the jvalve body into sustained pressurecontact with an annular tapered surface on theibon'netto accurately align the bonnet and 'valvebojdy and at the same time establish a substantial seal against leakage of fluid pressure. I

It is also an objectof the invention ,toprovlde simple means for restraining the bonnetagalnst turning movement relative to the valve body under heavy torquestress.

It is also the aim of the presentinverition to provide a .valvehavingeone,orrmorenf the above characterized novel features, inw hic'h theseveral cooperating elements are of ruggedandsdurable construction, and whichmayjbeproducd at r easonably low cost. I I i With the above and other subordinate (Object in view, the invention ,resides in the improved valve and in the constructionandyrelative arrrangement of its several parts, .as willhereinafter be more fully -described, ,illustrated ;inthe acompa y n aw ne r ran ub equ ntly' mcQ rpo a ed.inr h suhio ned la ms- 3.9

It is the general object and purpose LGlaim'sl. (Cl. 251-249;)

"Inthe drawings, wherein we have disclosed several simple and practical embodiments vof the invention, and in which similarreference characters designate cor-responding parts throughout the several views: r

Figure l is a vertical sectional yiewlof :a valve assembly of'the bonnet type;fl a

Figure 2 is a top plan view not ;the valve bod-y;

Figure '3- is "a bottomplan Eview of the bonnet;

Figure '4 is a plan view of the fave-:part "wedge;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical section illustrating a modified form of the'ln-ventlon; and

Figure 6 is a similar view showing a further modification.

With continued detail referenceito the drama -ings, and-for the present a-more particularly to Figures l-to 4 thereof, we have shown a evalye'zbody Ml of more .or less conventional external =form, having a fluid inlet passage '12 and an outlet passage 14. Between the fluid-passages, the valve body is internally provided witha suitable valve seat which may be (either an integral part of the -va;lv e body, or in the-form of a separate valve seat member, as indicated-at 16. The valve member- 18 has a swivelled or rotatable connection with the lower end-of the valvestem 20' which extends upwardly through the bore 22 of .a wertical ex.- tensionffl -ofthe-valve body.

The valve stem 20 supported 'in the bonnet =26 which 'is connected to the extension .2 of ;the-

valve body in the manner to be presently (explained; The -val've stemextends :through the customary stu'fiingbox 28 '-in :the bonnet M ami has itsthreaded upper end portion 30 engaged in an internally threaded bushing 32 suitably fixed in the-bonnet 2:6. 7 To the valve. stem .externally ofthefbonnet, a hand-wheelvalof conventionalformissecured.

"-Below the stuffing x 28, the valve stem' 2 0' is in clearance relation-to-an openin :36 inth'erbonnet; at the lower endof whichaltaperedorfiarlng se'at'38 is-fQri'ned with which lthe. shoulderJw on the valve stemmay be tightly-engage'd-in the openposition'of the valve to prevent :the :flow. of any appreciable amount of -fluid through-said opening andaround the valveestem,:in repapkr r -"The extensions -.'of rthevalvebody at its upper .end is of tincreased wall.,th-ickn6$,s and in suitably spaced. relation-fromitheupper, end surfacethere- .ofg-is formedlwith anin e n sanmiler, enie nte .shoulderii. e-Abnyenlihe ashQl cler 4-2, the-yalve b y i u herrerov ed i-th uselibyeo 9 ing lugs 44 Q e u uat .f m an nte ven ends in vertically spaced relation from the shoulder 42 and the inner arcuate edges of these lugs are of approximately the same diameter as the diameter of the bore 22. In the present instance, we have shown four of the lugs 44 equidistantly spaced apart 90 degrees, though it will be understood that a greater or lesser number of lugs may be employed.

The bonnet 26 is formed with a lower end section 48 of somewhat less external diameter than the diameter of the bore 22 and upon the lower end of this bonnet section 46, arcuate lugs 50 are integrally formed and project radially outward therefrom. These lugs and the recesses 52 therebetween correspond in number to the lugs 44 and recesses 46 of the valve body. The lugs 44 and 50 are of substantially equal circumferential length, which is somewhat less than the circumferential length of the recesses 46 and 52. At the upper end of section 48, the bonnet 26 is formed with a large diameter section 54 having a lower inwardly and downwardly inclined annular face 56 connected with the outer diameter of bonnet section 48 by a fillet groove 58 and vertically spaced for a predetermined distance above the lugs 50.

As thus far described, the valve and supporting bonnet 26 are assembled on the valve body by positioning said bonnet so that the lugs 50 thereof will pass downwardly through the recesses 46 of the valve body and rest upon the horizontal shoulder 42. The relative vertical dimensions of the lugs 44 and 50 are such that in this position of the bonnet the opposed end faces of said lugs are in clearance relation so that the bonnet may be turned on the shoulder 42 to position the lugs 58 thereof beneath and in vertical alignment with the lugs 44 on the valve body. While the bonnet is held against rotation, the valve stem is now rotated and under continuous forcing pressure of valve member [8 against the seat [6, the bonnet 26 is moved vertically upward to establish a solid contact between the lugs 50 thereon and the lugs 46 on the valve body.

In this interlocked relation of the lugs on the bonnet and the valve body. the inclined annular surface 56 on the bonnet is vertically spaced above the horizontal surface 62 of the valve body extension 24. wedge-shaped ring members 68 are now inserted, the lower face of each ring member being disposed in a horizontal plane for contact with surface 62 on the valve body, while the upper face thereof is inwardly and downwardly inclined for contact with surface 56 on the bonnet. These rings are tapped into position by means of a suitable tool to obtain positive engagement of the ring sections with the surfaces 56 and 62 which coact therewith to finally adjust and position the bonnet in concentric relation with the bore 22 of the valve body and insure uniform spacing of the lugs 50 on the bonnet above the shoulder 42 on the valve body. Thus even distribution of the internal fluid pressure loading on the interlocking lugs, when the valve is open, is insured. In this manner. substantially perfect alignment between the valve body and the valve stem and its supporting bonnet is obtained. Preferably, the wedge members 68 are seal-welded to the valve body and bonnet as shown at 64. This continuous annular weld,

also effectively precludes external leakage of high pressure fluid from the valve.

In Figure of the drawings. we have shown In this space, the two transversely surface 86 of the bonnet.

a modified form of the invention, in which the valve body and bonnet are provided with the coacting interlocking lugs as above described. In this instance, however, the valve body is extended vertically above the internal lugs thereon and at the outer side of said lugs is formed with an upstanding annular lip 66. This lip is circumscribed by an annular channel or groove 68 of appreciable depth, the external face of the lip 66 forming the inner side wall of said groove while the outer side wall thereof diverges upwardly and outwardly as indicated at 10. Normally, the inner and outer side faces of the annular lip 66 extend in approximately parallel relation to the wall of the bore in the valve body. Above the groove 68 at the outer side thereof the wall of the valve bonnet is externally threaded as at 12 to receive an internally threaded retainer ring 14. One end of this ring is provided in its peripheral face with suitably spaced recesses 18 to receive the lugs of a spanner wrench. At its other end and extending beyond the threaded section thereof, the ring 14 terminates in a tapered annulus 80, the inner and outer inclined side faces of which merge into the end face of said annulus on large radius arcs 82.

Above the interlocking lugs on the bonnet, this bonnet is formed with an enlarged diameter section 84 having an annular peripheral face 86 tapered or inclined outwardly and downwardly to the lower end of said section 84 at an angle of. approximately two degrees.

In assembly of the construction above described, the lower end of the valve bonnet is inserted into the upper end of the valve body and interlocked therewith in the manner previously explained. The tapering surface 86 on the bonnet is in clearance relation to the inner face of the lip 66 and extends upwardly in divergent relation thereto. The retainer ring 14 is formed of comparatively hard metal, such as hardened stainless steel, and when said ring is threaded downwardly on the bonnet into the upper end of the valve body, the tapered terminal annulus 88 thereof enters the groove 68. Initially the inner rounded corner edge 82 of this annulus engages the outer edge of the lip 66. In the continuous downward threading movement of the ring 14, the inner tapering face of the annulus 86 exerts a wedging action on the annular lip 66 and uniformly deforms said lip, forcing the same inwardly into tight sealing pressure contact with the tapered peripheral The bonnet will in this manner be accurately aligned or centered with respect to the valve body and angular or axial movement of said bonnet with respect to the valve body effectivelyv prevented. At the same time, it will be apparent, that owing to the threaded connection ofjring ldwith the bonnet 26, as the lip 66 is distorted the bonnet is vertically lifted to insure tight face to face contact between the interlocking lugs on the bonnet and valve body and obviate any tendency of the bonnet to drop downwardly and reduce the effectiveness of the pressure seal between the bonnet and the annular lip 66.

In Figure 6 of the drawings an, alternative of the construction last described is illustrated. In this embodiment, the wedging annulus 88 for deforming the lip 66 is a separate element, instead of being integral with the ring 14. It is of" substantially the same cross-sectional form as the annulus 68, excepting that the annulus 88 is provided with a flat upper surface, upon which is formed a relativeiy narrow upstanding rib 190 which' is contacted by the flat lower end surface-of the retainer ring 92. By making the hardened metalannulus as a separate element, a somewhat less expensive construction is provided, and this element when unduly worn can be readily replaced at nominal cost. Otherwise, the construction and functional operation of this embodiment is the same as that of Figure 5.

As an additional precautionary measure against leakage, we may provide the section 84 of the-bonnet with an outwardly and-downwardly inclined shoulder atjits upper end; and also form on the flangeof"the retainer ring 92, at its inner side a similar shoulder 96, between whicnsuitable packing rings 98' are compressed as the ring 9-2- is-adjusted to d'eform the annular lip 66. Also, incertain instances, it may be desirable to providemeans for positively locking the valve bonnet against turning. movement under heavy torque stress. In the" present instance, we have' shown such means" as comprising one Or more dowel pins I00 which are axially movable in transverse bores I02 radially centered below one or more of the lugs 44 onthe valve body and adapted for engagement at their inner ends in registering cylindrical recesses HM formed in the lugs 50 on thebonnet'. The bore lozhas a tapered threaded outer end section to receive a tapered threaded plug I06 bearing against the outer end of dowel pin IM! to removably retain the same in applied position. In the constructions" of Figures 5 and 6, the bonnet may be readily removed from its assembled position on the valve body. This is accomplished by first removing the dowel pin or pinsflloo, if used, and then partially unthreadingthe retainerring to release the deforming pressure on the annular lip 66. The bonnet is then turned to position the lugs thereon in alignment with" the spaces between the lugson the valve body. With theva'lve in closed position, the valve stem is now: rotated to' cause a downward thrust pressure of the valve against its seat, thereby lifting the valve bonnet vertically upward relative to thebody so that the annular inclined surface 86--- on the bonnet will expand the annular lip 66 outwardly substantially to'it'soriginal position. The bonnet and ring 14, togetherwith' the valve and valve stem may then be removed from the valve body.

From the above it is believed that the several disclosed embodiments of our invention will be clearly understood. It'will'beseen that in each case means is provided for easily and quickly effecting an interlocked connection between the bonnet and valve body together with means for accurately centering the bonnet in aligned relation with said valve body and rigidly holding the bonnet against angular displacement from such aligned position so that uniformly distributed internal fluid pressure loading of the interlocking connection is obtained. Also means is provided to retain said latter means in effective position and in cooperation therewith, seal the bonnet connection against external leakage of the pressure fluid. The several bonnet connections heretofore described are readily adaptable to valves of many different types, the particular valve shown in Figure l of the drawings being selected merely for the purpose of illustrating one practical application of our invention. It will further be appreciated that our invention comprises a comparatively small number of cooperating parts of simple and durable structural form a so that the cost thereof will not materially exceed that of valves of this type now commonly ,known to the art.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the-foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intende'd'to' be embraced at is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is: v 3

'lpl'n' combination with a valve" body having an extension provided with avalve stem receiving bore, a stem supporting bonnet, said bonnet and extension having coacting means for releasably interlocking' said bonnet with the extension internally thereof, and means for rigidly holding said bonnet in accurately aligned relation with the bore of said extension, comprising an annular lip'on said extension and means cooperatively assembled between the valvebody and bonnet to simultaneously axially lift said bonnet to tighten the interlock and displace said lip from normal position and maintain sustained uniform pressure contact thereof with an annular surface on the bonnet.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said last named means comprises an annulus of relatively hard metal mounted in the valve body extension, and meansfon said bonnet for axially adjusting said annulus in 'contactwith the outer side of said lip to'apply a uniform inward wedging pressure thereto;

3. The combination definediin claim 1, wherein said annular surface on the bonnet is downwardly andoutwardly inclined toward the base 'ofisaid lip, and the pressure'c'ontact' of the lip with said surface iseffective'to maintain a substantially'fluid-tight seal between the valve body extension and said'bonnet.

4. The combination definedzinclaim 1, wherein the valve'body extension is provided with an annular groove at the outer side of said annular lip, and'said last namedfmeans comprises an annulus of relatively hard metal movable in said groove in wedging contact with the outer side of s'aid annular lip, and a retainer" ring threaded on"' sa'id bonnet in adjustable bearing contact upon'said annulus. 7 1

*5. In combination with a valve body 'having'a'n extension provided with a valve stem receiving bore, a stem supporting bonnet, and means for assembling said bonnet in accurately aligned relation with the bore of said extension, including an annular integral upstanding lip internally formed on the wall of said valve body extension, an annular outwardly and downwardly inclined external surface on said bonnet adapted to be positioned within said lip, and means cooperatively assembled between the valve body and bonnet to simultaneously axially lift said bonnet to tighten the interlock and maintain a sustained uniform inward pressure against the outer side of said lip to radially displace said lip from normal position into substantially fluid sealing contact with said inclined surface on said bonnet and rigidly hold the bonnet in concentric aligned relation to the valve stem bore of said extension.

6. The combination defined in claim 5, where- 7 in said last named means comprises a retainer ring adjustably threaded on the valve bonnet abov said lip, and means for exerting a wedging pressure force against said lip actuated by said ring.

7. The combination defined in claim 5, wherein said last named means comprises a retainer ring adjustably threaded on the valve bonnet above said lip, and means for exerting a wedging pressure force against said lip actuated by said ring, together with a compressible packing seal interposed between the retainer ring and bonnet abovesaid wedging means.

8. In combination with a valve body having a valve stem receiving bore, a stem supporting bonnet, coacting lugs on said body and bonnet releasably interlocking the bonnet with the valve body internally thereof, an internal annular sealing lip on the valve body, and manually adjustable means operable to distort said lip from normal position into fluid sealing contact with an annular surface on the bonnet and simultaneously axially lift said bonnet to establish tight face to face contact between the interlocking lugs on the valve body and bonnet.

9. The combination defined in claim 8 wherein said adjustable means includes a retainer ring threaded on the valve bonnet.

10. The combination defined in claim 8 in which the valve body is provided with an annular groove at the outer side of said lip and wherein said adjustable means comprises a retainer ring threaded on the bonnet and a lip-distorting part operable by said ring into bearing contact with the walls of said groove.

11. In combination with a valve body, a valve stem supporting bonnet, a valve in said body having a valve stem projecting into said bonnet, mechanical interlocking means on said bonnet and body internally of said body, and spacer means tightly interposed between cooperating angularly related external surfaces on said bonnet and body adapted to maintain interlocking forces between the body and bonnet in a direction axially of said valve stem and to hold said body and bonnet against relative movement.

12. In combination with a valve body, a valve stem supporting bonnet, means integral with said valve body and bonnet for interlocking the bonnet in assembled relation internally of the valve body, and wedge means interposed between a radially inclined surface on the bonnet and an opposed surface on the valve body and radially movable toward the valve axis to force said surfaces apart to tighten the interlock and rigidly 8 hold said bonnet against angular movement and in axially aligned relation with the valve stem bore of the valve body, whereby internal fluid pressure loading of said interlocking means is evenly distributed.

13. In combination with a valve body, a valve stem supporting bonnet, means integral with said valve body and bonnet for interlocking the bonnet in assembled relation internally of the valve body, and a pair of semi-circular wedg members interposed between an end surface on the valve body normal to the axis of the valve stem bore and an opposed annular surface on the bonnet inclined inwardly and downwardly toward said axis to tighten the interlock and rigidly hold said bonnet against angular movement and in axially aligned relation with the valve stem bore of the valve body, whereby internal fluid pressure loading of said interlocking means is evenlv distributed.

14. The combination defined in claim 13, together with a fluid sealing weld circumscribing said wedge members and uniting the same to said valve body and bonnet.

15. In a valve, a valve body, a valve in said body having a threaded stem, a bonnet on said body having threaded engagement with said stem, means to secure said bonnet on said body comprising interlocking abutment surfaces on said body and said bonnet to limit movement of the bonnet outwardly from the body, and a wedge connection between said body and a continuous external surfac on said bonnet inclined with respect to the valve axis. said wedge connection including a part radially movable toward the valve axis to force said abutment surfaces into tight engagement.

MICHAEL A. MARKEL. DAVID MACGREGOR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 175,902 Baker Apr. 11, 1876 398,838 Machin Mar. 5, 1889 712,929 Hedstrom Nov. 4, 1902 1,195,686 Kelly Aug. 22, 1916 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 26,208 Great Britain of 1898 327,289 Italy of 1935 

